Philly May 4th

May 4, 2012

            Ok…today was a day! Jess and I woke up bright and early and headed toward the Rittenhouse District. This area of town is located just south east of City Hall. While on the walk there we were stopped by a film crew, and police. They were filming a movie with Colin Ferrell and we were told it was about New York Mobsters. I realized it was a ritzy neighborhood for three reasons. The first was because of the movie. The second is because of all the high priced shops, and name brand stores that were located there, and thirdly because of the hotel we were going to. The hotel is rated #52 in the World, and their restaurant inside is rated in the Top Ten of the country. Jess looked up some of the meals…and the prices, so we decided breakfast was more of our style.

            Breakfast was spectacular. We had a great walk through a park up to the hotel, and a stellar view from our seats in the restaurant. Jess had a Belgian Waffle with homemade batter and fresh berries. I had eggs benedict with some amazing pan seared potatoes and finely chopped red bell pepper. My English muffin was the softest richest one I think I have ever had. The ham was salty and had the perfection of prosciutto, and the hollandaise sauce had the best consistency, richness, and tang than anyone could ask for. The meal was delightful.

            After the breakfast of the decade Jess and I walked up a few blocks to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There we ran up the steps like Rocky, and stood in line for quite awhile. There was an exhibit for 42 works of art by Vincent Van Gogh. However, the tickets to view that exhibit were much more expensive, and we would have had to wait in line for the next available tour, which was an 11 hour wait. So instead we looked at all the other art. I learned a lot about ancient weapons, and Jess really enjoyed the museum’s classic European art from the sixteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century.

            After the museum we did something that I thought was quite funny. Going from the breakfast we had the next bite in our mouths were from venders on the street. A professor from school told me, “eat hotdogs, and a lot of pretzels from the guys on the corner they are awesome”. So we did just that. I had a hotdog, and Jess had a pretzel. It was actually really good, even Jess liked my hotdog. The snack was a good one and held us over until we got to Reading Terminal Market. This place was huge, and crazy! The market was set up like part grocery store, and part food vender stands. Each row was labeled like an avenue. There were at least 50 venders or more, and each one selling food, jewelry, or a specialty. Jess and I ate there for lunch. We had bake ziti, and a slice of pizza. Then the real eating began. We went around trying different things, but the highlight for Jess was when we got to the Flying Monkey. Flying Monkey is a bakery that specializes in cupcakes. They do not ship, and they only have one locate, Reading Terminal Market, and Jess is in love. Jess said, “it is like a frozen meringue frosting. The mint wasn’t sugary it tasted like a light peppermint leaf accent.” She was all about her peppermint chocolate cupcake.

            After Reading Terminal Market we went to Penn’s Landing. We went there earlier in the week, but never really got a good view of it all. So Jess and I walked there. After a few minutes of soaking up the scenery we decided to walk all the way back to our hotel, for fun. While on the way there we spotted several interesting things. Possible one of the coolest English Bulldogs, some several mouthwatering restaurants, and some people Jess and I will never forget. We met and started talking to some people named Brent, Susan, and Pierre. Brent and Susan were clearly soul mates, and Pierre was their friend visiting from France. We walked up and down the streets with them and they were kind enough to invite us over for a while. Well…we did it! Jess and I had wanted to see what the inside of a house in Philly looked like, and these people were more than welcoming. We spent a few hours with the fine couple learning about them and their travels. I have to say I wouldn’t be surprised if Pierre comes and visits us one day. After a few hours with Susan, Brent, Pierre, Daina, and Paul (Brent’s neighbors) we decided it was getting late and started walking.

            After a few minutes we found our way at the Chapterhouse where Jess and I shared a pot of peppermint tea. It was great, and I think it is our favorite coffee shop we have ever been to. The music was soothing while we drank tea and played scrabble.

            Shortly after Chapterhouse Jess and I thought we could kick our hunger pains and started to walk down to Pat’s. We got caught in the rain but that didn’t stop us at all. It truly was the icing on the cake to a great day.

Jess with New Jersey in the background, walking back to the Hotel..right before we met Susan and Brent